Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson
To me this means Elders give an account for how they instruct and nurture the flock of God.
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Bro. Scott,
I can't help but believe "the flock of God" is made up of families. They
don't live together in the church but in individual homes with each man
and wife and their children. Families go to church to learn how to live
in their homes and how to guide their families. It was not for one man to
rule over everyone else's family. But as general instuction in righteousness.
These things were taught in our home first. then when Dad started the
work of God in our city, this church was a continuation of what we had
already been taught in the home. His family was a pattern to others. It
was based on the Word of God.
Each man should bear his own burden. What he and his wife sowed and
birthed was that man's responsibility. Yes, bear each other's "burdens" in
prayer support, but it was the father's/mother's responsibility to "train up
their own children in the way they SHOULD go. Not the preacher, not the
church, but the parents.
Paul made it plain to young Timothy that the elders were not to be re-
buked.
The elders in this case was the older men and women. They would
be as fathers and mothers in the church. The younger men as brothers and
the young women should be treated as sisters, with all purity.
Children are God's Heritage and are not supposed to have lords over them.
God gave them parents to train up, provide and nurture them. No wonder
many children don't show reverence or respect for their parents.
Many have
been taught to look to the preacher as the one to get their advice and to
tell them what they can't do or can do. I was not taught that. We were
taught to respect the office of pastor. but not as a god.
The parents in the home was to be honored as God-given. Many families to-
day are so dysfunctional, out of order, etc.and the children are SO confused,
they don't know who they are supposed to look up to, honour and respect.
There were families out of order in the OT too. We can read and see what
the problem was. Unbelief, partiality or favoritism, division between parents,
etc. But the NT (God's New Covenant brought in better promises, better
things. But we have to go by His Plan for man. TOO many parents were not
trained up themselves. At least not not in the way they should go.
Just some thoughts this morning based on what I believe the Word teaches.
Blessings,
Falla39
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